A beautiful thing

So I saw an amazing thing today.  A man, obviously a transient and homeless, unshaven, mismatched barely appropriate clothing, and shoeless.  Gingerly he made his way across scorching hot concrete to find some shade to stand in, created by a business's awning.  I'm not sure what he was in search of other than shaded concrete, but his reasons, I reckon, are moot.  This in and of itself is not in the least amazing, there are countless poor souls whom for whatever reason and in whatever walk of life, share this mans predicament.  The amazing thing, the wonderful thing, is the conversation and ensuing action.  See I was riding in the passenger seat, and Christie was driving.

Christie: "That man has no shoes."

Me:"No ma'am"

Christie:"That concrete is HOT"

Me:"Yeah it has to be burning his feet"

Christie:"He needs shoes"

Not a joke, not a glib comment, just the completely logical previously transcribed conversation and observation, followed by a right turn, then another right, and finally another right turn, to find where this man was seen walking.  Pulling into the parking lot, the window was rolled down, followed by the question, 

"Do you not have any shoes?"

And the simple response,

"No"

"What size do you wear?"

"Uh nine"

And she pulled the shoes off of her feet with the justification that her shoes were a nine and she needed to replace them anyway, but at least it would keep him from walking barefooted across the concrete.  This is why I love this woman.  No expectation of return, or gratitude, or recognition.  She saw someone she could help, and did.  In life I think we need to find people, people who improve us just by being themselves, people who make us want to be better ourselves, and give us drive and help to return our shaken faith in humanity and love for fellow man.  This is how as a species, we have survived.

Triumph

Reminiscent of the great Roman Triumphs, the return of the glorious victors of prominent wars and battles.  With the populace lining the streets rejoicing and reveling in the heroic return of battle hardened triumphant soldiers, banners and laurel wreaths flew, and flowers were thrown, honoring the victors.  

Today was not so joyous, the return was not a happy one, it was subdued, for the loss of one of the communities own was sorely felt by many.   But the honors for this brave soldiers return, and his funerary procession was no less great than a Roman Triumph in its own right.  I saw today people of many walks of life, standing in the heat waiting.  Waiting for the moment his body, encapsulated in his final resting bed and draped with the colors of the nation he proudly served and gave his life for, to pass by.  Just so that they may honor him and his bravery, with something as simple as a flag flown proudly and snapping in the breeze, a symbol of our nation and the freedom that we have, and he fought and died for.  The care for fellow man to take time out of their busy lives to line the streets in this simple mans honor.  Regardless of the circumstances, or who and what he was, he was still willing to lay down his life for us and did.  Small things such as these give me a boost in my faith in humanity, that people can feel and understand such an acute loss of a man most of them had probably never met.  God bless the people of this nation, and God bless Sgt. Anthony R. Maddox.  He may not have died in combat but he did die serving us, and dedicated his life to preserving our freedom, thank you sir.